I read @kevinbruce‘s blog post on the iPad today. It inspired me to share my thoughts. Thanks for the inspiration Kevin!
Before I tell you what I think about the iPad, here’s what I expect of my computer/mobile device:
- Independent — doesn’t require a desktop/laptop computer just to fully utilize my new device
- Simplicity — don’t give me a knob or slider when you can just make the decision for me.
- Flexibility — don’t make me use a $%*#@ tactile-less touch screen keyboard when I want a physical keyboard (Contradicts 2 sort of. But really, is connecting a bluetooth keyboard to an iPhone/iPad NOT simple?)
- Automatic Security — make sure the apps can’t “infect” my device with spyware, viruses, or trojan horses
- Open for Developers — DON’T tell me I can’t download an app because “you said I don’t need it”
I’ve read Apple’s announcement and spec pages at http://www.apple.com/ipad/, read Kevin’s thoughts at http://neutralgood.net/blog/2010/02/02/the-many-uses-of-the-ipad/, and listened to the Twist Image podcast/Media Hacks Episode 24 (BTW thanks media hacks for an episode that made laugh so hard I almost cried!) at http://www.twistimage.com/podcast/archives/spos-188—media-hacks-24/
Here’s my rating (remember: I haven’t touched the device.) of each of the above 5 points:
1. Independence — Poor
- It is as independent as an iPhone/iPod. You can do many things without a computer but you need a computer to effectively manage your music library, to manage your podcasts, view arbitrary web pages (no flash support in Safari).
- You can’t connect other devices like a digital camera OR A KEYBOARD to it
2. Simplicity — Excellent
- Think iPhone. I’d be more excited if I didn’t already have an iPhone.
3. Flexibility — Poor
- Come on. I bought an apple bluetooth keyboard. No, I’ve bought two. What do I have to do to just pair that with my iPhone/iPad/iPod and type larger blog posts, email messages, etc? I think someone should start a paypal charity to bribe Steve J. to add the feature. Sorry, I’m not the guy to get that started. Any takers?
4. Automatic Security — Excellent
- Think iPhone. I’d be more excited but…. You get the drill.
5. Open for Developers — Fair
- I’m pleased that the App store allows many fringe, non-mainstream apps into the store. They even allow some that fill in some feature gaps that Apple left (RSS Player Yay!). But you just can’t geek out on the iPhone/iPad.
- Where are the programming languages? So I’m sitting on the couch checking my email and I feel like whipping up a quick python script to check a web page for updates and pop up an alert on my phone — WHY CAN’T I DO THAT APPLE!!!??? I’m a big boy. Hell, I bought the F’n thing; don’t I own it?!
- Where are the cool hacker tools? I want nmap, mrtg, program Arduinos, whatever the heck I want it to do.
Now, having gotten that off my chest I was taken off guard by the Media Hacks podcast I listened to today. They, minus Julian of course 
, pointed out that the iPad might not be for “us” the geeks/content producers of the world. Maybe, just maybe, Apple is trying to solve the age old problem of complicated computers with so many ways to fail, non intuitive user interfaces, computers that take 3 minutes or more to turn on, wires everywhere, hard disks to crash. Windows and even Mac OS(X) are not really user friendly.
, pointed out that the iPad might not be for “us” the geeks/content producers of the world. Maybe, just maybe, Apple is trying to solve the age old problem of complicated computers with so many ways to fail, non intuitive user interfaces, computers that take 3 minutes or more to turn on, wires everywhere, hard disks to crash. Windows and even Mac OS(X) are not really user friendly.So what do I need Apple to fix (get your notebook Steve J.)? Make it stand alone. Don’t tell me I need a computer to run my iPad. Let me manage podcasts and music ON the iPad. Give me some elegant way to script the iPad ON THE iPad. I NEED to control my machines. Finally, you’ve got to find a way to let me download even apps that you and AT&T don’t like.
So what does this have to do with netbooks? I was on the fence. What should I buy? Wait for the iPad or buy an AT&T HP110. I went with the HP110 — YES, windows 7 and all. I’ll tell you about that later…
I used to love reading your blog, but lately it’s been a little boring. I’ll still read it though =)
Glad it USED to be interesting
Sometimes bumps in the road to personal publishing appear. I’m learning to navigate around them. Maybe I can keep it interesting going forward? We’ll see.