iPad: Essentially a big iPhone
Apple may have revolutionized the “smart phone,” but it’s not doing much for the tablet. iPad, at first glance, seems nothing more than an oversized iPhone — see Apple’s announcement here. It looks like an iPhone (only larger) and acts like an iPhone (runs apps from the app store). One would think a device capable of running video could also run software such as Office or iWork, but that does not seem to be the case. It can, apparently, connect to a keyboard, so why can’t it function as a laptop? Perhaps it can, but right now Apple is presenting the iPad as a big iPhone.
Similar Posts:
- iCan’t — Why I won’t buy an iPad
- Accessibility and the iPad
- Yeah, well I’m a Mac and a PC
- Brian Eno’s Bloom
- Ditch the phone, kid
© 2010, Mark Adams. All rights reserved. For inquiries press here.
This article from PC Magazine is somewhat telling:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2346545,00.asp
Here is a relevant quote from the article regarding the topic of your post:
“Apple hates netbooks because netbooks cannibalize notebooks. But the company would love to sell another Apple device into homes. The iPad doesn’t replace anything Apple currently sells. You type on your laptop at your desk. You surf with your iPhone while on the go. But you’d relax with an iPad on the couch, prop it up by your bed, or rest it on the airplane tray table. That’s all stuff you do with existing devices, of course, but an iPad would make it more natural, just as a Kindle does.”
This is just another toy for people to figure out its actual utilitarian value for society…unless, of course, it turns into something like the Star Trek PADD (http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/PADD), then it might be somewhat useful
Michael JW
27 Jan 10 at 4:06 pm
The question is, is Apple innovative or mercenary? Certainly, the folk at Apple are no strangers to innovation — they make, I believe, the best computers — but they’re always skimming the top of the market by sacrificing innovation. The iPad could do so much more, but Apple won’t go the distance. They want everyone to own an iPhone, Macbook, iMac, iPod, iTV, and iPad — great for Apple, but not the consumer. In truth, one machine (OK, maybe two) could do it all. That would be real innovation.
admin
27 Jan 10 at 4:16 pm
I agree completely.
There will (or should?) come a time when desktop PCs and laptops will become one in the same. One could easily dock a laptop/e-book reader into a monitor at home. E-Books could easily have cell phone technology integrated in them, with the use of bluetooth technology and ear pieces.
The possibilities are there, but you’re right: are the companies willing to sacrifice certain product lines to truly innovate? I’m willing to bet that in the near future, some start up will develop just that, and challenge Apple to consolidate some of their products.
Michael JW
27 Jan 10 at 4:28 pm
Ah, this is hopeful:
“iWork apps unveiled for the iPad” –
http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-10442925-12.html?tag=TOCmoreStories.0
admin
27 Jan 10 at 7:16 pm