It will come as no surprise to those who know me that I have been eagerly awaiting today’s announcement of Apple’s iPad tablet device.
I followed the tweets with breathless anticipation. I watched the video as soon as it went up. I’ve thoroughly explored the iPad on Apple’s website. And I have to say, “Meh. It’s okay.”I will be the first to admit I am a rabid Apple fan. I am writing this on my relatively new MacBook Pro, while taking calls on my iPhone. I have more Macs than people in my house, and have recruited family, friends, and colleagues into the Apple camp, as well. I also have more Apple toys — iPods, iPhones, AppleTV, etc. — than I would probably ever care to admit to my wife, and have an enormous collection of (legally licensed, thank you very much) content from Apple’s iTunes and App stores.
Moreover, years ago, I was also one of the earliest adopters of the original slate-format TabletPC devices from Motion Computing. As a mobile professional, constantly traveling between client meetings, etc., the idea of having all my usual laptop apps and files combined into a single device that also allowed me to take natural handwritten meeting notes and save them electronically was very compelling. Too bad the machine was saddled with the impossibly slow and unstable Windows XP Tablet Edition OS.
Between then and now, of course, I have been a very happy Mac user. There is essentially nothing I can’t do with my MacBook Pro. Except take handwritten notes or fit it in my pocket. And so it is that I have suffered a bit of unrequited love for the notion of a truly business functional tablet device.
Sure, the iPad is a great device for those who love the iPhone, but find the iPhone too small to do all the truly useful stuff they have wanted. No question, either, that the iPad is a great device for those who want a much more portable version of most of what a laptop offers. And who doesn’t love OS X and the Mac / iPhone look and feel?
But can I say with a straight face that the iPad blows the doors off the TabletPCs of yore? Not so much. Fast? Yes. Stable? Presumably. Good user experience? Likely. But boy, oh, boy, do I think Apple missed the killer app capability that would make this thing a huge hit with the business set — pen-based, natural handwritten-note taking, and all that can go with it, like handwriting OCR, synchronized audio recording with written notes, etc.
I also think they could have added a couple more goodies — a built-in iSight camera, for instance. The world is becoming more virtual, and web-conferencing and chat continue to become more entrenched as core business communication tools. The ability to include video of my ugly mug during web conferences and chat would have been welcome (though perhaps less-so by those who would actually have to look at me). A plain-ol’ cheap cell-phone style built-in camera would have been nice, too, for snapping pics of all the usual stuff we like to quickly photograph, but especially, whiteboard meeting notes and things of that sort. Finally, if they are going to incur the expense of putting in a 3G cellular data modem, and since Bluetooth is already baked in, it would have been swell if, with the use of a Bluetooth (or even wired iPhone-style) headset, this one nifty gadget could cover all your voice needs, too — though I’m sure Skype and Vonage iPhone apps will fill that void soon enough.
So, it’s basically an overgrown iPhone. Except for one little thing. And that one little thing is the entire key to this whole big thing — iBooks. In this device, Apple has not really set out to build a better iPhone or better TabletPC. They have set out to build a better Kindle. From a hardware and OS perspective, it seems apparent they have well met that objective. But moreover, the iBooks concept opens up a whole new business area for Apple, that will not only allow them to generate huge revenue streams from book downloads, but one that also undoubtedly underwrites the surprisingly low price-points of the products in the iPad line.
It’s hard to believe that a device as capable as the iPad could launch for as little USD $499 (base model), and top out at $839 with maximum storage and unlimited 3G. But surely the anticipated revenue stream from iBooks must make this device a worthwhile loss-leader for Apple. I also suspect another way in which Apple is holding the price down is with the capacitor-count of the touchscreen — I’m sure there are plenty of capacitors to create a very pleasant and accurate experience when manipulating the device with one’s fingertips. But enough to support the precision required by pen-based handwriting apps? I suspect not.
I know, a device cannot be all things to all people. And I am sure Apple believes, and most will perceive, that an excellent balance of features, capability, and price are being offered in the iPad. I don’t really disagree. I had just hoped the iPad would do the few additional things I have on my wish list. As a business user, I would have happily paid more — $1,000 to $1,200 — to have the iPad as announced today, plus the handwriting capability. I would LOVE to be able to get by traveling around with just one, lightweight, slick, portable device like the iPad, and leave my laptop, paper notepads, and all the junk that goes with both, behind when I hit the road.
Perhaps an iPad Pro will be in the works for picky business users like me?
Anyway, will I go out and buy one of these new iPads when the come out? Probably, unless I see evidence of a “Pro” version coming down the pike within a year or so. I’m an Apple junkie, and I know myself well enough to know I won’t be able to help myself.
As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments here, or on our Facebook discussion board.
Thanks!
Eric Heine
Vice President
Integra Technology Consulting
781-890-0070
eheine at integratc dot com
Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/IntegraTC
Tags: 3G, AAPL, Amazon, AMZN, Apple, AppleTV, chat, Consulting, Eric Heine, handwriting, iBooks, Integra, iPad, iPhone, iPod, iSight, iTunes, Kindle, Mac, MacBook, MacBook Pro, Motion Computing, OCR, OS X, Skype, Systems Integration, tablet, TabletPC, Vonage, web conferencing, XP
January 28, 2010 at 12:53 am |
Today is the day that Jobs blessed us with the iPad. Personally it’s exactly what I thought it’d be practically a bigger iPhone, I’m actually gonna wait until the future versions to pick an Apple iPad up. I want to see one with a USB, microphone, camera and multitasking before I’ll make the jump. I especially think that a USB port is the most important feature it is missing. What do you guys think?
January 28, 2010 at 1:40 am |
Eric,
I found this blog because I searched for iPad and handwriting, precisely because this is the feature I was most eagerly hoping for. I agree with you 100%. I’m an MBA student and the addition of hand-writing capabilities – not even handwriting recognition but simple, usefully precise, hand-written input – would have allowed the iPad to almost completely replace my need for paper. I would have used to replace my planner, all my notebooks, a journal, books I’m reading, text books, etc. Combined with the web and media features, this device could have been the be-all, end-all of all my written and digital media needs. Alas, it falls short.
I also use Evernote as the center of my GTD system, and one of the most useful features of the iphone app is the snapshot feature through which you can take visual notes of experiences you have, wine you like, etc. This is lost on the iPad without a camera, along with using it for visual communication as you suggest.
I think your assessment that Apple is really going after e-readers, and not laptops/netbooks is accurate. I appreciate their productivity attempt by making iPad versions of iWork, but Number is nothing compared to Excel which i run from Parallels on my desktop mac or my netbook. It’s such a half-hearted attempt. Now, if i could control my desktop mac remotely with this device, run programs, and see the desktop. That would be something.
But the iPad doesn’t need that level of number-crunching productivity. All they need to do is extended their logic of “things that feel right in your hand” to all of those things we hold and carry and use in our hands, not just books and the internet.
Unfortunately, on the play – productivity continuum this is skewed too far toward play for this product to be more than media toy. I too, hope they make a “Pro” version for the productivity inclined. Then I can finally stop buying paper, and maybe even ditch my netbook.
Thanks for the post!
January 28, 2010 at 7:33 am |
Like David, I was looking for some info on this. I owned one of the early IRex Iliad e-readers, and was extremely happy with apart from its lack of ability to read DRM PDF files. Fine, everything was in shades of grey – but that screen was beautiful!
It DID come with a bult-in scribble facility for annotating books or documents you were reading. When ntering text, you could use a simple on-screen keyboard or (surprisingly good) handwriting recognition. It also had a simple scratchpad for taking handwritten notes, sketching, or whatever. Even more, for a small additional fee, you got PC-based companion software to d some serious recognition work on your notes.
I had that pull apart pages of minutes from foreign trips, with text, formulae, and diagrams mixed in on the same page.
You can still get it, but it’s creaking at the seams a little. iRex have finally announced a replacement (the DRS 800), but I think it has lost the handwriting stuff along the way. Presumably this allows a lower resolution touch screen.
Given that neither of my favorites support the handwriting I want to do, and the additional benefits of the iPad I guess I’ll plump for something from Apple after all these years (nope, not even an iPod). Though I’ll stick to the 699/64GB Wi-Fi only version.
.. Oh, one other area the iPad missed out …
No USB ports or SD/Flash card readers for additional storage.
Thanks
January 28, 2010 at 11:17 am |
Ditto the prior comment. I also googled with “ipad” and “handwriting” hoping essentially for the Apple robustness of a tablet PC and came with the comments above which basically cover what I had to say. I am so dissapppointed that this functionality is not there. How great would it have been for me, as a chemistry professor to walk around the classroom with this 1.5 lb device and draw chemical structures, sketch calculation problems, all with a pen in hand while being projected on the screen for all of my students to see, or to save and post it online etc. Here goes another chance to convince a switch from PC to Mac at my work! What is this Apple’s allergy to the stylus?
Thanks for allowing me to share my frustration
January 28, 2010 at 2:52 pm |
Nice read. I also saw a video in youtube about a review on new Apple iPad. Here is the link – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAb_yg2XF-k
January 28, 2010 at 9:14 pm |
(Repost from Facebook – DK if it made it to FB, so here it is!)
Here’s my take, Eric: it is a nice consumer toy. It is a very cool toy, and one that I would recommend to anyone not wanting to use it professionally for work other than giving presentations. It will not replace my MacBook. On the other hand, I can see using it for personal stuff and lightweight work, perhaps sipping a coffee at Peet’s.
The price is really good. I think it will be popular. I also think it’s not the only bolt to be in Apple’s quiver. I’ll bet they’ll come out with a pro version at some point: A MacBook with the iPad user interface added. Perhaps the Mac Air’s next iteration will be that, with more connectivity.
Finally, I don’t care about handwriting recognition, mainly because humans can’t read my handwriting, let alone machines. I am disappointed in a lack of iSight, as you are. Big oversight, in my opinion.
January 29, 2010 at 6:45 am |
Lots of of bloggers aren’t really pleased with this new iPad.There was just 2 much hoopla about it and alot blogers got disapointed.You see, I actually see lots of the cool potential uses of this device. Third-party soft for doing music, games, papers and magazines and books, all sorts of good stuff, but IMHO they just didn’t really sell it right (aside from the books). It feels sort of undercooked
February 5, 2010 at 4:21 pm |
informative
February 8, 2010 at 5:21 pm |
Amazon will have to come up with something if they want to continue to dominate the market. Apple has raised the bar with the iPad quite high so Amazon must first compete. Kindle users, I myself am very satisfied, but it will be difficult for Amazon.
February 10, 2010 at 2:31 am |
Quality info once again.
Bookmarking rhis page, becoming a follower of this blog.
February 11, 2010 at 8:44 am |
Good post.
What’s your take of the Apple Tablet?
Man was I let down this thing should have been epic instead Apple settled for a cheap device.
February 12, 2010 at 5:29 am |
I have been trying to acces this site for a while. I was using IE then when I tried Safari, it worked just great? Just wanted to bring this to your attention. This is really good blog. I have a bunch myself. I really admire your layout. I know this is off topic but,did you make this layout yourself,or purchase from somewhere? I put a link tou your blog at my site,hope you dont mind?
February 13, 2010 at 6:32 am |
I cannot wait to get my iPad pre-ordered. They look fantastic. I am just unsure whether to get the wifi or the 3g and which size to get.
February 16, 2010 at 9:19 pm |
Thanks for sharing this. I’m a huge apple fan and support them for their decision to release the iPad. Thank you. Thomas