The first time I heard about the iPad, I thought it was a joke. I eventually discovered it was a real product so I snickered at the name; I thought to myself that it is a funny way for Apple to pun its own line of digital products. But then I realized that it is actually a very nifty idea for a product.
First, iPad is undeniably sticky—it sounds like Apple's eponymous digital genius, the iPod, which has spawned a line of its own, starting from the classic edition to its more advanced babies such as the iPod Touch.
The most common reaction to those who have encountered the iPad for the first time is a mixture of surprise and pleasant confusion: 'Huh? Did I hear you right? Did you say it with an eh or an ah?' That is why it sticks to one's mind because the moment you hear it, you start to think about it.
Next, the iPad lives up to its name—and I just do not mean the Apple brand. It is very literal that it is almost funny. I remember when I first heard about it, after I got over its pronunciation issue, I thought about its appearance. My friend told me that the iPad resembles a clipboard or a tablet, and I just could not believe that it was going to look like that. Somehow, we all got used to the fancy and metaphorical model names of gadgets that when we find something so bluntly named, it is just incredible.
The iPad looks like a homogeny of a slate, a thick pad of paper, a clipboard, a tablet, and a binder cardboard. One of its greatest features is that you can use it as if it really is a clipboard cradled on the crook of your arm. It works on a touchscreen interface, which eliminates the need for a keyboard or a pen, thus freeing the hands. However, unlike most touchscreen gadgets, the iPad is a multi-touch device: that means you can pinch, drag, and tap two visual objects on the screen with your fingers at the same time. It is a lightweight gadget at 68 grams and 13.4 millimeters thick.
Think of it as a giant iPod Touch with the ability to create documents via iWork, which is Apple's office program that enables its users to create slide presentations, word documents, spreadsheets, and the like. The iPad can store and play music and videos through iTunes. It also has Wi-Fi capabilities; therefore, you can experience seamless Internet surfing, chat, and email.
An iPod will have you squinting at the screen to have a good look while the iPad provides a large enough screen to properly enjoy videos and movies.
Apple considers the iPad as its revolutionary project that will bring all other competitors to shame. We have yet to experience the lasting power of this magical product and its 150,000+ applications. It just made me think: how in the world am I going to use all 150,000 of them?
If they decide to visit Apple's website, they probably have been influenced to purchase the gadget as a result of media buzz and bullish marketing. Non-techies will not think about its pros and cons just yet; what they really want to know is, what exactly is an iPad and what does it do?
The iPad is a mobile computer; it is considered to be revolutionary because it is neither a laptop nor a personal digital assistant. It is unique in its own right most especially because of its tablet frame. It is slightly larger than a netbook by an inch and it does not have a keypad. Its multi-touch screen interface is the basic input method for this device; however, it can also be docked onto a keyboard accessory for fuss-free typing. In addition to its multi-touch screen, the iPad is also programmed to be multi-oriented, so the user can tilt the frame from portrait to landscape according to his preference. Multi-touch means that the user can "tap" and "drag" two items on the display at once by using fingers.
The iPad is mainly designed for information consumption in the form of Web browsing, media, and gaming. Additionally, it can be used to create documents and similar content on a lighter level. The iPad is powered by thousands of apps that allow this device to perform at high-speed rate.
Documents, spreadsheets and slide-show presentations can be created through iWork, which is Apple's answer to Microsoft Office. As for the entertainment apps, there are plenty to choose from.
Basically, the default browser is Safari, which also happens to be created and designed by Apple engineers. As of late, Opera Mini has become available to iPad users as an alternative Web browser.
Media consumption is one of the best offerings of the iPad. The crisp screen resolution lends justice to images, videos and e-books. The enhanced speaker system provides a great output for music and audio.
Internet connectivity is powered by Wi-Fi and 3G. It possesses the highest speed in wireless Internet technology that overrides the speed of the hotspot offered in a specific location. To connect to a 3G network, the user must insert a 3G SIM card from a service provider. Once the owner has completed the 3G network service application, he can switch from Wi-Fi to 3G connection anytime.
App icons are used to organize the iPad display. The user can select his frequently used apps onto his Favorites section and these can be easily accessed.
It sounds like a pretty interactive device, which is what all gadgets are about. Techie experts suggest that consumers should wait a bit longer for the iPad to mature into the industry so we may all see what it can offer that our regular PCs and media devices cannot.
Probably one of the more popular features of the iPad—aside from its multi-orientation interface—is its accessibility to hundreds of thousands of apps. These programs have been specifically designed to run on the iPad; there is zero possibility to find it anywhere else, except on the iPhone and iPod Touch. The applications cater to a wide range of categories, including entertainment, business, games, education, and sports. Practically anything you can think of has been prepared for by Apple engineers and third-party developers. Whatever your need, there's an app for that.
One useful application offered on the iPad is an e-book reader called iBooks. The size of the iPad screen is ideal for reading; there is no squinting necessary to view text displayed on this device. Most of the technical aspects relating to the readability of the material can be adjusted such as its brightness, text size, typeface, and background. The background lighting can be dimmed according to the user's preference and this is especially useful for reading at night since nocturnal reading becomes unbearable when the screen is too bright.
Moreover, text size and font styles can be altered to suit the user's needs. For some odd reason, we all have quirky preferences when it comes to font styles. There are people who just simply could not stand neither Times New Roman nor Arial; sometimes, they find it easy to read huge blocks of text displayed in Helvetica or Palatino Linotype. Text adjustment is definitely good news for those who like to read lengthy novels.
Another wonderful feature of the iBooks app is its capability to render superb graphics. iPad's crisp screen and high-speed memory allows images to appear as you read it without waiting for the image to complete. It makes graphic novels and illustrated books better appreciated.
Incidentally, Marvel Comics has its own e-book reader app on the iPad, which means the Marvel experience is easily accessible via a simple download! The images can be enlarged or minimized by simply pinching on the multi-touch screen. It is also easier to navigate and browse the pages of Marvel's comic books by tapping the thumbnails.
In line with further reading, the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times have also created an app exclusively for the iPad. While it is not exactly a great replacement for a physical broadsheet newspaper, it provides as easy, "tap-worthy" access to news as you need it.
These applications are available on the not-so-subtly named marketplace App Store, which can be accessed on a specialized app on the iPad. iBooks is already included in the device once you purchase it, while the Marvel Comics app can be purchased on the App Store or through Amazon. Currently, Amazon still holds the record of offering more and better titles more than any other e-book seller. The user has the option to preview the books or comics before buying and as a lucky iPad owner, you can also order Marvel Comics in print to add to your collection.
iPad is perhaps not only the most hyped device in recent history, but is also a device that has caused great polarization among users. People can only either love it or hate it. What is so remarkable with this love-hate relationship with Apple's 'magical' and 'revolutionary' tablet PC is that you can tell who love and who hate iPad.
On one side, the techies hate it. They hate the fact that it can't multitask, that it does not have Flash, and that it's just a gigantic version of the iPod Touch. They can tell you everything that is so undesirable with iPad – from its glossy screen that shows all the gross signs of fingerprints when turned off and the aluminum back that won't make you feel comfortable when you place it on your lap early in the morning. They would even go so far as rant about the black bezel that is too wide to be attractive. There is absolutely nothing that iPad does that other devices doesn’t already do better. And to top all these off, iPad is nothing more than a product of systematic publicity.
While the techies complain about iPad, the online congregation of Apple product enthusiasts continue to clamor for the success that Apple has achieved through the tablet PC that promises to permanently change the way personal computing will roll in the future.
Multitouch screen – This is surely among the top reasons why non-techie users of iPad love to have it around. Although iPod Touch can be used with nothing but bare thumbs, iPad takes multitouch screens to a level no other product has reached before.
You can still play your favorite game applications, but this time, the experience is enhanced. Instead of constantly zooming in and out of the board when you're playing scrabble, you already have the entire board glaring back at you. If you are driving on simulators, your screen resembles a car windshield more than it does with iPod Touch. If you love reading eBooks on your IPod Touch, you will find that the iBooks e-reader application of its much younger cousin offers you an experience almost similar with reading an actual book. Turn a page and you'll find how much thought was thrown in to create an e-reader app that will give an almost the same feel as with reading a book. With a few modifications, of course. A single tap on an unfamiliar word can give you a dictionary definition online, for one.
When visiting a website, so long as it does not contain rich media contents made with Adobe Flash, you'll have no problem. Other than that, the general experience of web browsing with iPad is simply, incredible. It's fast, hassle-free, and liquid. It is, as Steve Jobs claimed, "the best browsing experience you've ever had".
But not everything that is good with iPad is about its superb screen. People love the fact that iPad exceeds battery life expectations as well. Where typical laptops and portable DVD players can shell out up to 4 hours battery life, iPad promises you up to 10 hours of continuous use. No need for charging in between. But don't take the manufacturer's word for it. One independent review claimed that his iPad played 12 hours' worth of movies.
And despite all these great things, iPad gives more. What more can you ask from a $499 Apple device?
Your Choices
There are six iPad variations available. The Wi-Fi models with 16 gigs, 32 gigs and 64 gigs capacity and the Wi-Fi +3G models of the same capacities. Price varies from $499 to $829. Somewhere in that price range is the perfect iPad for you.
But how do you decide which is the perfect choice?
Consider how much capacity you actually need. If you love resource-hungry apps, you should probably get yourself the one that boasts the largest capacity. If you typically download small apps, you should probably stick with the one with basic specs. Single purpose utilities and solutions shouldn’t be your problem. These typically are not voracious memory eaters. What you need to worry about are video and audio files. If you love loading your devices with lots of music and videos, consider a model that has a bigger storage room.
At the end of the day though, you still have to consider how much you are willing to dole out for a multifunctioning device. You will spend at least $699 on a 64 GB Wi-Fi iPad and at least $829 for a 64 GB Wi-Fi + 3G model. Another consideration is the fact that it takes A LOT of apps to use up all your iPad's memory so unless there really is a need to buy the one with the largest capacity, and for that matter, the highest tag price, you should probably consider the models hovering between the basic and high end variants.
Is 3G that important?
For 3G support, you should be ready to spend $130 dollars extra on your iPad. This is on top of the price of the model you choose. This comes in very handy when you are frequently out of range of hotspots.
The good thing with iPad's 3G support is that it does not bind you to any long-term contracts. You can choose from AT&T's offer of $14.99 for a maximum of 250MB data transfer per month which you can repurchase whenever you choose or $29.00 for unlimited data transfer. Not a bad deal. Not at all. On top of this, you also get to access AT&T's hotspots whenever you want.
But still, is 3G that necessary? Depending on how much weight you put on wide-area network coverage. Among the top considerations for getting 3G service for your device is the preparation for the possibility of needing to connect online when you're nowhere near a range of access point. This is especially crucial if you live your life online, 24/7.
Still uncertain about which model you should choose? Follow the rule of thumb in buying devices – buy the highest model that your wallet can afford.
iPad is a bombshell. There's so much in it that it could take some serious time spent with it before one can actually use its full capacity. Here's a quick view of some of little known features this multifunctioning device has.
Built-In Dictionary It's a no-brainer that a device that has superb features for e-reading is also backed with a decent built-in dictionary. Both the word processor and the iBooks application has dictionary for quick reference to words that you may find vague. Apple is also thoughtful enough to include a quick search of the eBooks using a keyword, just as you would do with a website. As if this is not enough, it is also easy to get quick access to online dictionaries via Safari, so it really isn’t a big deal if some unfamiliar words make you stammer while you read Apple's massive collection of eBooks.
Auto-Adjusted Screen Brightness The developers of iPad went so far as program the device to adjust its brightness according to specific environments to make eye strain less of an issue for users. This is particularly important for people who frequently use the device in different lighting conditions.
Don’t wish for perfection though. Despite the brilliant design and programming that went into the creation of the product, it still has some limitations. Text and images look washed under direct sunlight, for one.
Home Screen Bookmarking The home screen, is without a doubt among the most versatile features of the device. Aside from allowing the display of the shortcuts to specific applications, iPad's Home Screen also displays your bookmarked websites. For the end users, this means that you can go straight to your favorite websites with just one touch of the bookmarked websites icon.
Browser Dashboard Forget tabbed browser, iPad's Safari offers users a different view of opened 'tabs'. Like the tabbed view we get from laptop or desktop browsers, the dashboard view allows the opening of multiple web pages, only with iPad's Safari, the web pages are shown as thumbnail images of all opened sites. This allows for easy switching between websites. All it needs is a single tap.
Smart Links Mailing is more convenient with iPad. The device is programmed to recognize address, names, numbers and link these to relevant information. This function benefits users by cutting short the time spent on searching online or in the device's storage for information relevant to the inquiry. For example, when addresses are tapped, maps and directions show up on the screen. When a name or a telephone number is tapped, the entire information on the contact list is revealed.
Slideshow Soundtracks We're done with boring, quiet slideshows. Apple's iPad brings forth the option of integrating music and sounds into its slideshow app. Now, that's a good way of jazzing up any presentation you create using Keynote.
Background Music And you thought only slideshows can have a background music…Even while you are searching the web or playing any of Apple's apps, you can have music continuously playing on the background.
Now that the excitement towards Apple's iPad has now calmed down, people can think more clearly about the device that has received more hype than all other new devices in recent history combined. Naturally, there are some disappointed techies and ordinary end users out there who rant about anything from the lack of built-in camera to the fact that the device heats up in direct sunlight. And of course, there are always those who are eager to say everything that is good about Apple's newest creation. So what really is the score with this 'magical' and 'revolutionary' device? Here's our take.
iPad's Shortcomings It does not multitask. Well, this isn’t entirely true. iPad can multitask when its running its own applications. Multitasking stops when you begin running third-party applications such as IM apps.
For the most parts, this is bearable. Not many users complain about the fact that they can’t update their tweets on Twitter, while commenting on a post thread in a forum or Facebook and at the same time watching live TV and writing emails. This doesn’t seem to bother the majority of users. But if you are a techie, this is a huge disappointment. $499 doesn’t justify the device at all. Na ah.
It doesn’t support Flash. Apple has some issues with Flash. It's unstable, vulnerable to bugs among other things. So the company is not supporting it, and will probably not, ever. Not that the company does not offer an alternative. It does. It is, in fact, pushing its own HTML5, which is recently making waves online. But with less than one percent of all websites have converted to HTML5. This poses some major risks of not being able to surf the web without a glitch. Well, not supporting Flash is definitely a bummer.
It doesn’t support a built-in camera. Prior to iPad's launching, rumors have spread that it comes with a camera. Apparently, it doesn’t. At least not yet. And that definitely has caused uproar among disconcerted enthusiasts of anything that bears Apple's logo.
It doesn’t allow users to do real work with it. Well, it does, only to a certain degree. Apple seems to have a penchant for eliminating documents and files within its power so it's apps, apps and apps all the way. But it does offer Keynote, Numbers and Pages, which by the way are superb tools you can work with.
And the list goes on…
iPad's Offers From an ordinary user's point of view, there is nothing that you can't love about iPad. We won't enumerate all the things that make iPad a very beautiful, all-around device here. There's just so many, you may fall in love with it and want to marry it.
But maybe, just maybe, iPad's detractors are looking for a perfect device that can do everything everyone could ever wish for. Or perhaps, they are looking at the device the wrong way. Many are taking the wrong approach to the device, comparing it with netbooks and laptops and other devices in between. Apple is perhaps trying to create a new device that is a hybrid yet performs at par or better than existing devices.
But for all its worth, iPad is definitely ushering in a possible future for personal computing technology and user interface.
So many people the world over have already started loathing the idea of buying and carrying around the supersized, not-so-cool tablet PC called iPad. Many say it’s a big disappointment and definitely not worth the $499 tag price. But many people are on the other side of the fence. So why you should get yourself an iPad?
Because it's downright cool. Let's be honest with ourselves for the moment, shall we? We all want iPad because it is currently the coolest thing in the world. Forget the price, forget the geeks' ranting about its limitations and just think about that sleek, sexy screen, that flawless aluminum back and that almighty software that has more power in it than you can ever imagine, and it won't take you long to love the device. And it is the vanity of vanities but we know that this one is an eye-catcher. Who wouldn’t love to catch other people's attention because of a cool device?
Because it is a Kindle killer. Maybe not entirely a Kindle killer, it's not a dedicated e-reading device after all. But for a multifunctioning device that delivers premium media-playing capabilities, iPad is certainly cannibalizing Kindle's sales. So much thought have been thrown in to make iPad a decent e-reader and for that alone, it is worth looking into. And besides knowing Steve Jobs, his claim about picking up from where Amazon has started is certainly something you can watch out for.
Because it is a major gaming platform. No one claimed that iPad is a major gaming platform. It probably is not. But for the quality of gaming experience it can deliver, it can certainly perform at par with some gaming consoles. Plus with the thousands of applications you can choose from, the multitouch screen capabilities, the landscape-to-portrait switching of the glossy screen, you certainly will get more than what you initially expected. Gaming in iPad just an added-value feature? Maybe. But for an added value feature, this exceeds the reasonable expectations of reasonable people.
Because of its applications. How about having access to more than 150,000 apps? This just shows how much you can do with your iPad. From making stick-it-notes on your homepage to running 3D games and mapping systems, true to Apple's tagline, iPad simply has every application you need. And soon, developers will be adding to the extensive selection of apps already available in Apple app store.
Because it's portable. You may hear people complain about its 1.5 pounds weight, but really when you come to think of it, no other device that does what iPad does is as light as it is. It is not a stretch to say that people who have some portability issues with Apple's iPad are just picking on it. At 1.5 pounds, this is as portable as you can get.
Because it's an instant device. There are days when we are not comfortable being burdened with a heavy laptop or desktop OS running in the background. During those days, iPad is the perfect solution. It is a perfect device for watching videos, listening to music, surfing the net and playing games on the go.
Apple iPad is many things to many people. It is a consolidated device that can be anything – from a gaming console to an alternative to a 'real' computer and a replacement for popular e-reading devices. It is also a media player, a web browser, an e-mailing device…to highlight a few things it can do. The fact that it does so many things while offering a better experience than the original devices built for iPads' specific applications is enough to confuse people what role iPad really fits in their lives. We'll try to break the device down a bit for you.
It is a superb media player. – Playing video is, perhaps, the forte of iPad, but Apple doesn’t really claim that so it can't be confirmed. Nevertheless, like its older distant cousins – laptops, DVD players and even plasma TVs – it can display videos very well. With its crisp, glossy screen, you can expect high from this device and you won't be disappointed. Maybe you'll find the fingerprints on the screen gross when you turn of the device, but that's an entirely different issue.
You can watch live stream TV on iPad, and even watch YouTube and other video sites without a glitch, given of course that you have the right application to 'convert' Flash to iPad-hosted file. If you are looking for a device that can help you catch your favorite video online, you can watch nearly whatever you want with iPad without a hiccup.
It's a major gaming platform, almost. – Everyone thought that gaming apps are just value-added features that can enhance the use of iPad. Well, everyone was wrong, dead wrong. iPad may not be built as a dedicated game console, but definitely has the qualities of a great gaming console. In some respects, it even beats existing gaming consoles with its features and capacity to enhance gaming experience. Gaming console developers could be cursing that extra horsepower and that extra huge multitouch screen that Apple threw into their tablet PC.
It could be a computer replacement. – In the future, we could see iPad-like devices replacing real computers. As 'raw' as iPad is now – raw, meaning having the superb and diverse apps and functions it has now – it already shows great promise for end users. It somewhat gives us a glimpse of personal computers 5, 6 10 years ahead. Maybe even less.
Despite all its glory, iPad is nowhere near to replacing 'real' computers just yet. It can't do as much as laptops and desktops can but it can definitely run as a winner against netbooks and other smaller devices. It can even beat e-reading devices, portable DVD players, and even plasma TV. Knowing Apple, we know that some great things are in store for iPad 2.0.
So what is iPad? Let's just say it's the first device ever to deliver on its promise while taking existing technologies to much greater heights. It may take a while before Apple unveils its predecessors, but iPad is definitely the future of personal computing.
What baffles many is that iPad has no specific role to fit in, except maybe to fulfill the desire to look and feel cool. It seems to perform well at many of its functions, even threatening to beat the competition out of their own markets. But not good enough, many suggest.
It's a good e-reader. Depending on who you ask, the reading experience with iPad is either as good as, is better than, or is nowhere near comparable with other eBook reading devices. To many who have not read with Kindle DX before, reading on an iPad is an experience that can soon replace reading of actual books. With some thoughtfulness thrown in to the design and mode of reading on iPad, it is definitely an e-book reader killer. However, for those who have already read with a Kindle, comparisons can be made that may understate iPad a bit.
But then again, iPad offers great features that other superb e-reading devices doesn’t. Fast refresh, for one. Whereas Kindle DX offers the most convenient and perhaps the best reading experience with its slow refresh function – that is a slow way of navigating from one page of an eBook to another, page after page – iPad offers the fast refresh which can let readers jump from one section of the book to another. When reading fiction books, this isn’t much of a big deal. For those people doing their research work on iPad, this is as close as you will get to reading an actual reference book.
It's a good comic book reader. For better or for worse, iPad stands alone in allowing readers to read digital comic books without a problem. Most electronic reading devices, although performing well with nearly all files, don’t fare well with digital comic books. This is probably among the few places where iPad's superb multitouch screen performs very well, without the need to compare it to other devices in the market because quite frankly, there is no point of comparison.
It plays video very well. What is that glossy, multitouch screen for if not for displaying video files? From the very beginning, Apple has already made it very clear that iPad is geared to providing a medium for consuming all types of media files. Many believe though that the device is made for displaying videos. True, it is not big enough to compare with your gigantic plasma TV and even notebooks and laptops can do as well as iPad on displaying livestream TV, but it is portable enough to be carried around. And that's exactly what you need when you're just lying around, not wanting to be tied on a TV.
It's a decent web-surfing device. Decent-enough, that's the operative term. iPad is a hybrid, it is a cross between a toy, a laptop, and everything else in between. While web-surfing is not its real forte, although Steve Jobs claimed that it has the capacity to give you "the best browsing experience you've ever had", it can live up to Apple's CEO's claim. Except for the absence of Flash, it offers superb web-surfing experience over all.
Other than these, iPad is also a really good gaming platform. E-mailing is a different, nice experience. And you can actually do real work with it. And many more.
Apparently, iPad can do as many things as you can expect an Apple's product will do while at the same time setting the standards higher for other developers to follow. Because iPad seems to be good at everything, let's just say that it is a jack-of-all-trades device. At least for now.
Design-wise, there really isn’t much to comment on iPad. There's just the 9.7 inch, 1024 x 768 multi-touch LED backlit display that takes much of the bulk of the iPad's surface. But quite frankly, that is what most people love about Apple's products. Minimalist, sleek, yet very functional. But we'll go to that later. Let's first take a look at the iPad, from its exterior.
Unboxing the iPad It is a beauty to behold, undoubtedly. Although un-boxing the device is the least marvelous thing about the beast, few people can say that much thought was not given to how the device is packaged. Since it's an Apple product, you can't doubt the fact that countless hours were spent over how the device would look when packed. And people are not disappointed for Apple's thoughtfulness.
The packaging is superb. It matches the general appeal of the device. For starters, the box of the iPad has a touch of MacBook Air in it. If you loved MacBook Air or other MacBook products, you will surely fall for the box of the iPad. It's so nice, you can hang it on a frame and display it in your living room.
Moving on, inside the box is the iPad itself, a thin information packet, which you would probably not use at all because even 2-year-old kids can understand the simplicity of the device, a wall power charger, and the famous USB 30-pin dock connector. If you have opened any Apple devices before, you are at home with these things.
How iPad's Size and Weight Measure Up The closest comparison you can get is Amazon's Kindle DX. Not identical, but nearly there. iPad measures 9.56 inches in height, 7.47 inches in width and .05 inch in thickness. It weighs 1.5 pounds for the WiFi model, 1.6 for the WiFi plus 3G model. In comparison, Kindle DX stands at 10.4 inches, is 7.2 inches wide, .38 inch thick, and weighs at 1.2 pounds.
For a device that does more than the Kindle DX does – if it alone is the point of comparison, the thickness of the iPad is forgivable, acceptable in fact. If the size and function of the iPad were to be used as parameters for judging whether or not iPad is better than Kindle DX, it is not a stretch to say that it is a killer. With its thoughtful eBook reading applications and the diverse selection of eBooks available for use with iPad, many say Kindle will soon be replaced with iPad.
Despite its revolutionary thickness, many people still seem to complain about the .5 inch thickness of iPad. Sure, it may feel awkward and may prove more difficult to handle in one hand for a few hours than Kindle DX, but considering how and what the device does, this is nothing more than nitpicking.
The Verdict Well, it's obvious. There is no other device in the market that has what iPad has. That does what iPad does. The glossy glass face alone is a winner. And we haven’t even talked about the functions of the device.
Well, even the best computer in the world has its shortcomings. With a promise of harboring new things for personal computing, iPad took center stage and impressed many. But not everyone is happy about what iPad brings to the table. For one, no one is quite sure what role iPad has to fill.
What Really Is An iPad? Is it a toy, or is it a personal computer? A replacement for notebooks, maybe? For laptops? No one can quite pin down what exactly iPad does. It is a hybrid of sorts, but no one can truly say what it can do that other devices can't. Even when everyone is clamoring that this device could kill Amazon's Kindle, many from the Kinderworld still swear by the almighty e-ink. Still, even the not so big fans of reading eBooks on iPad think that the thoughtfulness of the technology used to recreate reading on an electronic device makes iPad a decent eBook reader.
Issues With Portability It looks very much like an iPod Touch, only it is about 4 times bigger. But it is not an iPod Touch and certainly has more functions than iPod Touch offers. Besides, it doesn’t even have SMS so there simply is no way it can be an android phone, a hybrid phone even. Also, unlike the iPod Touch, it is not as portable. You can't carry it around, not even in your pocket. It has the same portability issues as its heavier cousins – laptops and netbooks. Even around the house, people have difficulty carrying it around. It is too expensive to carry without a case – it's quite heavy, its slippery and looks very fragile.
It is a very impressive feat of engineering, though. No one can doubt that. At .5 inch thick, iPad stores so much power in it that it is virtually a go-to device when some work have to be finished or when you need a hand for your procrastination. But it’s not just light enough. Surely, anyone who holds this device with one hand for a few hours while reading an eBook or watching a movie will get tired of the weight. Even when you place it on your lap, a few hours can kill your legs. Still, it would be so much to ask when you have a powerful device that can give you superb web browsing experience, brilliant applications, and whatnot and not be content with its .5 inch thickness and it’s a little more than a pound of weight.
The Problem With The Screen Too much glare. Susceptibility to fingerprints. Vulnerability to cracking. Too slippery. The list could go on. The main thing that makes iPad a very handsome device is what many of Apple products' detractors hate about it. And comparisons are always made about how Kindle can fare better under the sun.
But really, when you take all these things away from iPad, you are already asking for a perfect tablet PC. A perfect device that can do nearly all things other devices can do without giving you so much as a small problem. And to think that it is just the second tablet PC Apple has developed, it sure is a giant leap for personal computing devices. But we are humans. Although we are not perfect ourselves, we expect for companies like Apple to produce perfect devices that no one can complain about, ever.
The pioneer in e-reading industry seems to have been beaten by a c onsolidated device that also delivers superb e-reading experience. But is the game over already between Amazon's kindle and Apple's iPad?
When Steve jobs presented the much-anticipated tablet PC, the iPad, during the formal launching of the product, he gave the nod to Amazon for pioneering and revolutionizing the electronic books industry. It was only a matter of time until he took an ominous tone that seemed to threaten to burn Kindle, for good. In Steve Jobs' words, “We’re going to stand on their shoulders and go a little further.” And they have taken e-reading further.
iPad is not exactly an e-reader. It is a hybrid that hovers between a smartphone, a laptop, and in some incredible respects, an e-reading device. What it does exactly, no one can quite pin down. It houses a powerful software that can do anything from playing high definition videos to providing a superb gaming console and, well, everything else in between. E-reading capabilities included. At first glance, iPad seems to run away as a winner in many things. But when pitted against Amazon's Kindle, does it even stand a chance?
The heck it does. Take Steve Jobs' word for it. iPad is a device that can take technologies to much greater heights.
Retailing at $499 per piece, iPad does something more than a $249 Kindle can. It plays all sorts of media very well, it manages Instant Messaging platforms superbly, it allows seamless surfing of the web with the updated and better performing Safari, and has other capabilities that are apparently beyond the reach of Amazon's Kindle.
Now the obvious question, will consumers prefer a multi-functioning device that seems to have consolidated everything from smartphone capabilities to plasma TV capabilities – yes ipad enthusiasts go so far as comparing the glossy multitouch screen of iPad to a plasma TV - to a device that only does one thing – to serve as a platform for ebooks? More importantly, when Kindle's price go up, will consumers still buy it? Apparently, there are some Kindle die-hard fans out there who appreciate everything Kindle.
Kindle is Amazon's blockbuster for a good reason. It is quite simply the best e-reading device out there. It does what no other e-reading device out there does – it takes e-reading experience to a realistic yet more convenient level. It is a no brainer that kindle is not as sophisticated as iPad and that exactly is the selling point for the device. It does house any entertainment applications so users can focus on what they are doing, that is to finish the books they are reading from cover to cover. It also has the slow refresh function which makes it hard for readers to jump from one page to another, making it virtually impossible to skip from one chapter of the book to the next.
Kindle is also much less heavier than iPad. It weighs no more than 1.2 pounds, which is pure convenience for long readers. Compared to iPad which comes at 1.5 pounds, Kindle does not pose any discomfort identical with users who have tried reading with iPad.
So it's a standoff…Apple's iPad has functions that Kindle doesn't even pretend to have but Amazon offers a specialized device that delivers on its promise. In the end, users will still have to decide. Do they need a toy that allows e-reading or an e-reader that does its work very well?
Sweeping generalizations branded iPad as nothing more than an expensive toy. And having more thousands and thousands of applications doesn't help much with its image. But is it really just a toy? Or is there something more to it than having a horsepower powerful enough to host as much apps as you want?
A Multimedia Player It is, without the slightest hint of doubt, among the cheapest yet best-performing multimedia player in the market these days. It has superb software that can handle high definition videos as well nearly all forms of audio files, video files, podcasts, TV shows, and music. For the most parts, having all these functions is more than worth for the $499 buyers will have to dole out for the device.
An E-Reading Device Many have dubbed iPad as the biggest threat to Amazon's Kindle. Despite Kindle's dedicated capabilities for e-reading, many Kindle users have already hopped in the iPad bandwagon to switch from the 1.2 pounds eBook reading Kindle DX to 1.5 pounds consolidated multimedia device that can fare as well as Kindle in its function.
Lots Of Apps To Use Apple's tagline: 'there's an app for that', is not a marketing hyperbole. It is a reality. As if this selection is not mind-boggling enough, third party apps creators and developers are constantly creating new apps to add to the extensive collection that Apple has. So it is just more apps from here.
Wi-Fi In the apple ecosystem, nothing is ever without internet connection. You can definitely use iPad wherever hotspots are present.
3G Connection No Wi-Fi hotspot nearby? No problem. Apple integrates 3G with its iPad. Like it's smaller sibling – the iPhone, iPad can connect to AT&T's 3G network. What is so remarkable with this arrangement is that it does not bind users with long-term contracts. Activate or deactivate your 3G connection however you want, iPad and AT&T's partnership is purely customizable.
Hulu, YouTube and Other Video Hosting Sites The lack of flash in iPad is a frequent complain. In fact, a monumental drawback. But download an app and you can have this problem resolved in no time. Although for now, the application is only applicable to YouTube. Other applications are expected to be available very soon.
Web Browsing iPad uses Apple's own web browser- Safari, the same browser that iPod Touch and Mac use. Only with iPad, the features are enhanced to accommodate the touch screen technology of the device.
Bluetooth This is a no-brainer. Apple's iPad takes advantageous of external devices that connects via Bluetooth. Soon retail stores will be flooded with anything iPad – from Bluetooth keyboards to Bluetooth headphones.
Storage Capacity Whether you are a media-hungry user or not, you can have options with iPad. You can go with 16GB, 32 GB and 64 GB versions.
Productive Software Applications Productivity apps such as Pages, Keynote and Numbers are available in iPad as well, making it as much a toy as a productivity device.
Email With the help of its virtual keyboard and email application, you can send and receive emails on the go. Given of course that you have access online.
