Today, Apple released their new breakthrough in mobile technology, the iPad. It has a wonderful screen size and runs all the iPhone apps you already own and even some especially for the iPad. It has built in Wifi, bluetooth, and the option of built in 3G.
Costs:
16GB - $499 / + 3G - $629
32GB - $599 / + 3G - $729
64GB - $699 / + 3G - $829
3G unlimited data plan - $30 monthly (no contract required)
It is an eBook reader, a mobile publication reader, and a great productivity tool, but I still won’t be owning one this time around. When the iPhone first came out I bought it, and loved it, but it was missing key features I wanted. The iPhone 3GS and later firmware updates have added just about everything I need to the iPhone sans multitasking.
The iPad has no cameras, not a front facing or a back facing so pictures and video are out. They built the perfect device for video conferencing and then left the feature out. There is still no multitasking on a device that they have given incredible battery life. I understand the limitations but when you start moving more towards computing and away from just a cellphone (I know its not meant to be another iPhone), certain productivity needs must be attended to. If it is to be the true hybrid between a MacBook and an iPhone then you need to include the features of both… not just bulk up one and say its closer to the other now. Screen size isn’t the only feature everyone was looking for.
The software issues like Flash, multitasking, and OS X support can be fixed later via firmware, but the camera issues are still really a bust for me personally. If I could get all my school books on it cheaper than buying hard copies then it would most likely pay for itself, but I don’t see book stores being as cheap as AT&T’s new data plan. When I buy a device I don’t look for just one function, probably why I haven’t purchased a Kindle. I like to carry as few things as possible and still achieve the greatest functionality. The iPad is a great start in a new direction in mobile computing, but I’ll be around next year when, like the iPhone, they release the product everyone was holding their breath for.
Full technical specifications available at Apple.
January 27, 2010, 4:21pm Comments
