While I sit here eating this big beautiful ‘Macintosh Apple’ I think to myself, what is the best way to start off this new blog? Well, the only thing that came to mind was the biggest thing in tech news this week, that being the announcement of the new Apple iPad. Now if you don’t know what this is, or have been living in a cave then let me give you the down low on this ‘magical’ new product.
Apple has recently introduced their entry into the tablet market. This device will act as a halfway point between their already popular line of mp3 player’s, specifically the iPod Touch, and their increasingly popular laptop’s, the MacBook. The iPad (I cringe a little every time I say this), boasts a gorgeous 9.7″ (1024 x 768) touch screen, weigh’s in at only 1.5 pounds, has the latest and greatest in WiFi with 802.11n + there is a 3G model for when WiFi just isn’t enough, I could go on, but that’s what Google is for.
Now you could say, a tablet? Why a tablet? Well, what else does Apple have to release? They clearly have made their mark in the music industry with the iPod’s and have revolutionized the way music is purchased with iTunes Store. Also they are slowly but surely gaining market share with their line of computer hardware. Last but not least, the iPhone, whose sales have literally demolished every other phone available in the market today. So I ask, what else is there? Enter the tablet. Apple has been working on such a product for quite some time now, ever since the Newton back in…whenever that was made. Plus with all their recent developments in the ‘touch’ category, a tablet was inevitable. Though these machines have been around for quite a while, I deem it really hasn’t seen the light of day till now. With all this good news about this product, there just doesn’t seem to be enough new things to excite anyone here at WF.
While I was prepping to watch the keynote, I kept saying to myself, ‘ Steve will surely show me something that will blow my mind’. Sadly, it was quite the opposite. Instead what I saw was ‘a very big iPod Touch’ in every way possible. No Flash support for Safari browser, no multi-tasking, no camera, and no USB slots. I honestly have no idea how the people over at Apple saw this device as a halfway point between the iPod Touch and the MacBook. From the looks of it, it leans much closer to the Touch than anything else. Aside from all the limitations, one thing does stand out in my opinion, the new app iBooks and the iBookstore. Personally, I’ve always wanted the Kindle, but I don’t read enough to actually invest in one. With the iPad, it provides me with the option to do so much more than just read e-Books. Plus, it makes me wonder about how this will effect publishing in general. Over the last few years print media has seen a huge decrease in readership especially with all the online content out there. This provides a perfect medium for publishing companies to display all their content right to the hands of the new-age consumer.
All that aside, being an Apple user I have grown quite fond of their products and realized they really know how to make something that will sell (even the MacBook Air sold a decent amount). On the flip side, before this completely flops, it is sure to push some of the other competing companies to release a tablet of their own.
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8 Comments
To me this seems like a lazy implementation of an outstanding concept. I own an iPhone, for me the OS is exceptional for a phone, but for a tablet pc? Had they moded a lightweight version of OSX I think the product would be much more practical and useful, instead it’s entirely the opposite, especially if your already a proud (or not so proud?) owner of an iPhone or Ipod Touch.
Also it’s going to suck that you can only use apple approved software, only view iTunes Store movies/series, etc… What they lose by keeping the system completely closed is flexibility, and one thing we know about the modern day user is that we like flexibility.
Oh and what was with that bit in the keynote, you can change the wallpaper? oh-em-ef-geeee
I wouldn’t say it’s completely impractical hence why I mentioned the iBooks. I would much rather read a full novel on one of these things compared to the iPod touch or an iPhone. This also introduces a better medium to read other content, for example reading comics using ComicZeal. But I do agree with you they showed off too many useless features that everyone already knows about. I kinda chuckled when I saw Steve sit down on the chair haha seemed like an old dude reading a news paper.
yes but will you pay that much more for what basically you want to use as a kindle?
iTamponi think Max-iPad is the correct terminology you’re looking for
The iPad with new extra leak protection barriers is now even more discreet!
The iPad is the greatest let down of all time. I can do all the same shit on my iPhone why would you go out and spend another $500 for a bigger size screen… I was hoping for an actual computer tablet which you could use as an alternative to a laptop. Apple clearly thinks this is better than that haha
I wish the MacBook Air was the same price point of the iPad, I’d buy that in a heartbeat, even if it has 1 USB port