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On January 27th Steve Jobs unveiled Apples latest “it” product, the iPad. Essentially the iPad “fills the gap” in between smartphones and laptops. One question remains to be answered, is there a need for a device to bridge the gap in between the two technologies? We’re not sure yet, but there is one thing we know, the iPad has some issues… below are 5 of the most glaring.
Are you planning on purchasing an iPad? Let us know.
1.) The Name
Numerous names were being thrown around in the months/weeks leading up to the release (iTablet, iSlate, iPad) but which name was Apple going to choose? I had grown accustomed to referring to the device as the iTablet, I could even see calling it the iSlate… but iPad never seemed quite right. Why would Apple want to name their new product something that sounds so familiar to the iPod? Some people are objecting to the name referring to it as the “iTampon”.
Talk about foresight, this Mad TV iPad skit aired several years ago… and easily became 10x funnier.
2.) No Multitasking
Are you serious… who thought this was a good idea? How can the iPad even compete with Netbooks if you can’t multitask? This means that if you’re writing a document you can’t listen to music, you can’t have TweetDeck open if you want to check your email, you can only do one thing at a time, which has always been a complaint with the iPhone.
3.) No Camera
Why is there no camera on the iPad, front or back? It’s got a microphone… but no camera. Look at the size of the case that surrounds the screen, there is ample space for a camera. The iPad should’ve at least come with a 3-megapixel camera built in. As it stands, this means no iChat/Skype chat for you. Good move Apple, good move.
4.) Huge Ridiculous Adapters
Want to access your camera or plug in something USB… well there’s an adapter for that, actually 2 separate adapters both excessively huge.
5.) Same Touch Keyboard
The iPad needed to re-revolutionize the keypad for touchscreen devices, make it easier to use. So what did we get… just a larger version of what we already had. It’ll be incredibly hard to type on, unless you’re lying flat with your knees holding the device up, or you buy the iPad Case (essentially a book cover).
BONUS: No Flash (We just couldn’t stop at 5)
Most of us are probably accustomed to Apple devices not being Flash compatible, but if Apple is truly wanting to compete with other Netbooks they need to remedy this. With a larger screen comes more responsibilities, i.e. you can’t just leave gigantic holes in the middle of webpages if you claim it to be "the best web experience you’ve ever had".
The iPad is still in its infancy, so we’re sure that it’ll get better with time. Only time will tell if Apple’s iPad will be a success or an iFlop.
What are some other problems you see with the iPad? Leave us a comment.
I think we do need something like this but without the camera its a no go for me. Something like this would be great for my dad (late 70′s) uses a laptop now for reading daily papers from the old country and email – he will never create spreadsheets or documents – so he doesn’t need a 300G hd and all the other headaches that go with a laptop, netbook, or desktop. However with no camera he won’t be able to skype with the grandkids so….not good enough yet.
i was seriously thinking of purchasing the ipad because of the “intimate” experience and i jsut all the touch capabilities but the no multitasking is was really kills it for me. if it is supposed to be the right mix between a laptop and an iphone u should be able to hear music and enjoy your searching ablities at the same time. iphone can’t do that, so the product needs just a tad more laptop capabilities then iphone.
OF COURSE you can listen to music and read/search the internet/play games… whatever at the same time.
Why shouldn’t you??? I am doing it right now on my iPod touch!
I can see both negative and positive points in purchasing an ipad.
positive – it’s very thin and would be great for traveling.
negative – having to keep up with those adapters while traveling would be an utter nightmare, just something else to keep up with.
i’m quite torn if i’ll buy one of these or not, and i’m a self proclaimed apple fanboy.
It’s a big iPod touch. Stop the presses.
Well, the author of this article must be a Windows user. That’s ok though! However, let us not down a technology that has room to grow! Coming from a business stand point, Apple is brilliant! Why would you want to release a device that has ALL the bells and whistles right off the bat!? You can release a simple device, that has room to grow, work out the bugs and use the profit from that device to make the next better device! They used the same approach for the iPhone. Apple used the 3G to get the funding for the 3Gs, which, granted, it’s not much of a difference in phone, however, it will be amazing to see the next iPad that has everything you have wanted! Flash, Camera, Multitasking…. It will all be there soon, but keep an open business mind!
Hello Nick,
I do have an open mind… but I was expecting more. To say I was underwhelmed would be an understatement.
For all the hype the iPad had behind it… I just don’t think the huge event/reveal lived up to it. But, like I said at the end of the article… the iPad is still in its infancy and I’m sure it will get better. I just thought the initial release of the device would’ve been a bit more polished.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
–
Jeremy Muncy
Follow me on Twitter @jmuncy
I agree. The hype was a little misleading, however, the fact that “we” can notice there are some thing missing only helps to provide an image of the future product that this iPad will give birth too. It’s exciting really.
I agree, completely, from a business perspective it is smarter to start selling now with somehting basic and have several upgrades over the coming years, keeps people anxious.
“This means that if you’re writing a document you can
The only demographic that I can see getting the most out of a MAXiPad is someone who just happened to want a portable DVD player and eReader. An iPad would be a good combination of the two.
But for computing, the middle ground this is supposed to fill just seems too narrow for it’s own product line. Apples’ hit streak is slipping: first the Air, now the iPad. Man, I’m glad I got my pre-unibody MBP when I did, Apple hasn’t made it feel obsolete yet.
There is no DVD player (or CD player, for that matter). Everything needs to be loaded into the device via iTunes over wifi, or while connected to a “real” computer. Better get the 32GB model, if you plan on loading a bunch of movies into it.
I think the iPad is going to revolutionize how consumers use the Internet. The price point is low enough that people will buy it now and then buy it again when features like a video camera and multitasking are included in future versions.
Rich Ord
CEO, iEntry, Inc.
Publisher of WebProNews
I had so many expectations for the iPad before it came out, it looked like it was actually going to be usable. But what it turned into was an overly expensive toy. I wonder if the guy at Apple R&D got a promotion for coming up with the idea of scaling up the iPhone.
Actually that isn’t right, the iPhone is actually useful. Your list of reasons why the iPad is a colossal FAIL pretty much mirrors mine. I think there is a market and a need to bridge the gap between smartphones and my laptop but this just isn’t it. Let’s just hope others will build off of what Apple has down here and not just mimic it.
I agree with you.
Some other company needs to start where Apple stopped… and just go from there. Read the complaints of the consumers and then we might truly get the tech object that bridges that gap between smartphones & laptops.
Thanks for reading & commenting.
–
Jeremy Muncy
Follow me on Twitter @jmuncy
The iTampon really sucks. They can improve it all they want, but if they plan on trying to control what you run on it via iPhone OS, i would never recommend this to anyone.
iPhone OS is for phones, and not for computers. I wanted a small computer with apples’ sense of style.
Here is the true issue they forgot the key issue in business and that is to compete. The iPad fails on about every front. You can’t use flash … this was fine with the iPhone because it was a phone but it is not justified in a Tablet PC. You need to have real business applications for a tablet and it does not. There is no way to print, no way to collaborate with others, no way to run multiple applications(again this was acceptable for a phone but not a PC). The only thing it has going for it really is everyone that waits on bated breath for Steve Job’s to crap out another lack luster product will eat it up like a fat kid eats cake. Gorging on the said product and then defending why they needed to have it. iPad is an iFail… another crap product for a market they either don’t understand or don’t care to.
You have a really negative approach to life. Why not look at all the things that are good about iPad? Apple will go on to sell a few million worldwide and customers will decide whether they want one or not. But it looks like a fun product, beautifully designed and it is really easy to use.
I’m not totally negative… but these were 5+ things that I felt warranted being discussed.
I’m not denying that the iPad will not sell like gangbusters… but it DID NOT live up to the hype.
–
Jeremy Muncy
Follow me on Twitter @jmuncy
iNot is the proper name for it…….
YOu have a great sense of humor.. Nice articles really this is most helpfull thing
As in iCan’t believe this is the new product. Everyone seems enamored with it for movies, but a 4:3 screen?! Wow, just like watching TV in the good old days!
iCan’t, and iWon’t
I almost added this to my list when I was researching this article… good point.
Yeah, 4:3 will not change the way we watch movies/videos… if anything it sets us back a few years.
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Jeremy Muncy
Follow me on Twitter @jmuncy
PHASE ONE: People excited about new Apple device not yet introduced.
PHASE TWO: Bloggers bash the device after intro but before sales begin.
PHASE THREE: New device sells & is loved by all. Bloggers eat Crow.
Jeremy Muncy is yet another Basher-Blogging Fool who is participating in the typical bashing that occurs in PHASE TWO of when Apple brings out a new device. Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah. The Muncy Fool will eat his words when the Apple iPad comes out as it sells in record numbers and is loved by all and is envied by those who want it and those manufacturers who want to copy it.
Hello Blah.Blah.Blah,
I don’t really consider myself a “Basher-Blogging Fool”… I was simply pointing out that the iPad doesn’t really live up to all the hype that was building for the months/weeks leading up to its release.
I never said the iPad was a bad product, or anything of that nature… it’s just not this great “end all” piece of tech that I HAVE to have.
I’m sure the iPad will go on to sell like crazy…
–
Jeremy “Basher-Blogging Fool” Muncy
Follow me on Twitter @jmuncy
The other missing item is….
… No ability to access your local network via a finder like interface. So, say I have a network accessible drive with movies, music, photos, ebooks, etc – how can I get to them? Good question!
OK so maybe there is more than one to think about.
… Here’s another one – email – no apparent ability to mark multiple emails as READ/UNREAD, etc. This is one of my major issues with the email client on the iPhone.
… What about screen sharing so that I can access an iMac, MacBook, or MacMini from the iPad to do work that I can not on the iPad ?
JM2C
Mere mortals DEMANDING that technology meet ALL of their demands PERFECTLY and IMMEDIATELY.
iPad needs to do your thinking so you don’t have to.
It’s about cloud computing, content delivery and sharing and it’s about the future. It’s not about yesterday or how you used to do things.
JT
Why on earth are people getting angry about a piece of hardware that they don’t have to buy?!
Anyone with a brain ignores pre-release hype (especially when most of it didn’t come from Apple). I watched all the videos etc last night and I was left with the feeling that this may just redefine what “must have” means.
I don’t have an iPhone as it doesn’t suit my needs but I do have a Mac and an iPod (the Mac because of the industry I work in and the iPod because it’s easy to use and is going to be supported for a very long time). There is however a gap in my life – myself and my girlfriend can’t both use the same computer at the same time (and why would we want to buy another one?) and often don’t like being limited to being sat at the desk where it is.
Would it be cool if I could check my mail, surf the web or read an e-book if she is on the puter? Yes. How about if I want to on holiday? Yes. And so on and so on.
Let’s be realistic here – most people only use their computers for the things that the iPad does. Why do they need any more? If they need a computer they can buy one. And all the potential setup and driver and updates issues come with it for free!…
The e-book market is a rapidly growing sector and frankly Sony and Amazon’s offerings don’t look good (on screen and aesthetically) and are quite expensive for a single use item. As such I haven’t bought one. But the iPad seems to satisfy my requirements and has all the other fun stuff I need (and come on how many people at home actually need to switch between open apps? This isn’t being pitched as a business tool). People just don’t seem to be getting their heads around the concept here – and the chances are the guys being most vocal about it aren’t the target audience.
There is a reason why Apple scoops so many design awards each year. And don’t forget they have become very good at making their products desirable and easy to use – thus breaking the wall that separates techie geeks and early adopters from the public.
So, if and when I get an iPad I will (along with my mobile) have all I need to keep me happy. I agree the Flash issue has to be addressed and a webcam would be a really nice addition but thats all that I would add (for now). When I see people make comments like “but I cant make a phone call on it” I lose a little more faith in the intelligence of the planet. Its not a phone. I cant make calls on my TV or my fridge but am I moaning about Samsung and Indesit? No. And as for people moaning about it not have a camera (not webcam) I say so what? If you want to take good photos you use a camera. If you want to take sh*tty photos use your phone (don’t you just love the motion blur caused by having to press the button?).
I would rather the iPad do a limited amount of things and do them really well and in the process make my life smooth, easy and fun. Rather that than have it copy the latest mobiles from Nokia (or whoever else) that have all the features crammed in that you can imagine and do them poorly. AND still have done nothing to improve what the phone is for – talking to people! Give me good battery life, great signal reception and audio clarity and I will quite happily ditch everything else my phone does.
So give them a break people. This is pushing technology in a very affordable way. This isn’t a reason to get angry and launch a little rant in Apple’s direction. This is something new and without innovation the world will become stagnant very quickly.
The biggest issue I see is that you can’t simply plug up a jump drive via a USB port without needing to use ridiculous adapters? If they want to limit us to buying their apps, using their software, and dealing with their storage shortcomings, they should make it easy to use expansion capabilities. My biggest issue with this unit I can see is how there isn’t any way to protect the screen from scratches, your fingers will always have to be clean, you’ll always be cleaning off smudges and it’s not WINDOWS! And on top of that, you’re not really going continue with the AT&T monopoly are you? Have you seen the Verizon’s factual commercials about AT&T’s 3G coverage? Yes, WHERE AT&T has 3G IS faster, but the coverage is disastrous. It better be wide open to get on ANY 3G network or this thing is dead in the water. Their deal with AT&T is killing their sales potential. I don’t think that this unit is all of the hype. The only thing that may let it live is the price point. That’s the only smart decision I can see that was made about this unit. As for the lack of ability to multitask, that I did not know and will be the one thing that will keep me from using this. I’ll stick with my netbook. It’s not as pretty, but I’ll get much more done and won’t be strapped by the apps.
From their specs (http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/) it does not look like there is generic USB support … only camera support using their dedicated adapter that plugs into the power/interface port. Even if you buy the (sold separately) dock, there doesn’t look like any kind of USB support beyond support for a camera.
People must realize that this company makes it’s money from consumers purchasing their product, and software makers, make their money by people purchasing their upgrades.
Computers and Software are purposely made to not work correctly, and to become obsolete, so you purchase more.
iPad will have upgrades with a camera, and with flash capabilities, but until then, the herd will purchase these terrible products, and will purchase the new upgrade here in a 6 month period.
Maybe a 3 month period.
Apple sells it’s products based on look….which has never been able to be met by Microsoft.
It’s just a game…whether you choose to play it’s your decision.
But don’t be a sore sport about it….they are making money off of you fools.
Just wait for the upgraded version to come out…you know it will.
I think that Jobs rushed to get the iPad out there unveiling a product with some serious potential, but way too soon. Starting at $500 USD leads me to believe that this the iPad has a number of upgrades on standby and will not be used to it’s full potential until much later in the year. I think I’ll wait.
How about calling it iFail ^__^
In the article I did say…
“…Only time will tell if Apple’s iPad will be a success or an iFlop!”
–
Jeremy Muncy
Follow me on Twitter @jmuncy
Maybe that’s what they should’ve called because that’s the part you throw away. I know, perhaps too cynical, but happy to see someone standing on the side of the consumer and not slobberring all over Apple for once. And, if there ever was a case for “buy the rumor, sell the fact” in the stock market, I’m watching AAPL take a peeling right now, down to $199.90 (as I write this) from $213.84 on the 26th.
The iPad is NOT meant to be a net book – stop comparing it to one. It’s designed to be big iPod Touch that lends itself to activities that are more enjoyable on a larger screen – like reading books, surfing the web and watching movies.
Net books mean nothing more to me than “small, cheap laptop.” So, if you want a laptop, buy one already. If you want to enjoy “iPodish” content on a larger screen, then the iPad is for you.
C’mon people, don’t over think it!
(PS: The only gripe I’ll agree with is the lack of Flash support – c’mon Apple, we’ve waited enough!)
This is just a base starting point. Now, from here they will add all of the
“real features” and get the price up to 1k and it will be the iCompute.
It’s just a huge iPhone. End of story.
iPad should’ve incorporated some type of Cintiq technology so that artists and designers (who would probably benefit the most from this piece of hardware) could work on the fly. Although Brushes seems interesting, I’d rather have a stylus and Photoshop (or similar software) which would allow me to basically have a portable electronic sketchpad. Wow, talk about revolutionary!
Maybe in the future, keeping fingers crossed…
–J.Rose
cujr112002@yahoo.com
To me it fills a nice void in the market.
I will just throw and RDP or VM client on to access my application servers…fills a perfect void for me as a thin client with local browser capabilities.
If you want to use this for any kind of networking, be prepared to spend an extra $130 to get 3G access, unless you plan on being around wifi all the time. No USB without the adapter, which takes over the power/interface port (the only port on the device), so you can’t get any sort of “wired” connection. And no generic USB device stuff, either … camera-only with the (sold separately) adapter.
So I guess if you are only going to be doing one thing at a time, over wifi, you might be okay.
when I saw photo of the new ipad, I can’t help but vizualize holding it up to your head to talk on it.