My thoughts on the iPad

Well, as always I run short of time, but didn't want to let the iPad novelty pass without having my word on it, so I'm 'buying' the time to post this entry. I'm neither pro nor anti iPad, it could be that I end up buying one in time, but objectively I find the following points to condition its success:

What I think are its strong points:

• increased visibility and (possible) popularization of the tablet format. This will benefit all other similar form factor devices out there, regardless of funcional differences.
• Elitist aura that Jobs/Apple bestow on anything they do<./li>
  
• Very good browsing experience (more on that later).
• Some say it doesn't feel light. Well, I haven't touched one, but used to my old TC1000 tablet I must say it indeed is MORE than enough light. Specially if it doesn't overheat in your lap.
• Very good screen. Some call it stunning. IPS is the best TFT technology for color accuracy, and if sources are correct 132ppi is very good for a screen, approaching epaper devices. 4:3 format is good for books.
• Compatibility with 1000s of iPhone apps. That gives it a readily available app ecosystem, though not tailored to the device. But familiarity of use for many iPhone/iPod users will attract many to the iPad, and developer-wise many are already used to the platform and I guess it will probably have a lot of tailored apps soon.
• ebook support. The screen is good in size and legibility. Seems it has TTS (sort-of, in the flavor of the iPhone 3GS VoiceOver screen reading technology)... has kindle app, and support for epub & pdf (more on this later). But what this device will excel at is reading comics, magazines and newspapers (as my TC1000 years of experience has proved).
• Also, very good at showing photos to friends, simply rotating screen for portrait/landscape. Also my TC1000 has allowed me to do for years.
• Could be perfect for school books replacement (screen resistance notwithstanding).
• Software: "reimagined" iWork suite seems very interesting.
• New gestures and UI features. See here
• A4 System-on-a-Chip processor. It's pointed at as culprit for the great battery life, and early hands-on users say it's pretty fast, giving the iPad a very quick web surfing. Could be that it outperforms similar chips... benchmarks should be interesting to see. More on the chip here.
• Could be the ultimate car gps map/media device... but has to be 3g model.
• Could be a good kitchen companion device.
• *Could* be a good gaming platform... but that has to be proven.
• The optional case that gives it support in landscape "architect-desk mode" is great! And also in "stand" mode... it would be the ultimate photo frame, with all your social network updates, clock, weather etc at your fingertips (more on this later).

Things that could be better:

• Software: no iLife.
• No Flash in browser. Others would consider this critical, but to me, that hate how Adobe's plugins detract from web standards, hope that this issue will solved itself with the transition to HTML5. I know Apple, besides the Flash bugginess argument that I do believe, does this because of their multimedia & apps sales. How many people would buy TV episodes from iTunes if they could just stream it, or buy apps from iTunes when there's a similar game online, all for free? And it would break somewhat Apple's control over their market.
• IPS is a good display, but would have been much better AMOLED (in dreams...), Mirasol, or Pixel Qi thinking of ebook reading.
• Plain old flash memory instead of SSD. And capacity is limited for the price.
• The external keyboard works in portrait mode... I'm not sure I like that. Better use a BT keyboard.
• Don't know if this could be labeled as critical, but... no camera so no video conferencing.

Things that I think spoil it seriously:

• NO REAL OS, but iPhone OS 3.2. No multitasking! All this power and very little you can do with it at once. As this is no real OS, there's no support for diverse hardware. It can't thus substitute a netbook with a real computer OS.
• App installation and file transfers only through iTunes... very awkward and limiting... you have not freedom of use. Again, like that it can't replace a full computer and since it is not a phone then it will be the third device in travels... will you put up with more bulk?
• NO USB connection. What??? NO SD/card memory reader. Again, what??? So no storage expansion at all! The adapter they sell is awkward and a limited solution.
• Lack of pen... to me it is a big deal. A real Tablet HAS to have inking. No note taking on ebooks (specially textbooks), and note scribbling at school/meetings is a real deal breaker. Could come through 3rd parties, but I doubt it would have widespread support.
• 1024x768 is a bit small and not 16:9, bad for movies (black stripes up/down and scaling down of 720p). There's no HDMI output and no 1080p support, though the hardware can keep up with the task.
• The intelligent photo frame usage, given it's doubtful that multiple widgets can be run at the same time (and there's no SD to put in new photos in a snap) is ruined.
• Limited ebook reading. I don't know how much screen glare it has, or sunlight legibility, but for long reading periods anything not epaper -or maybe upcoming screen technologies like PixelQi- just don't fit the bill. And beware: consumers will not be able to access ePub content sold with Apple's DRM technology on devices made by other manufacturers! Still don't know if you can put in your own content. So much for openness! Also, color epaper and OLED ebook devices are coming soon, and they will surely best the iPad at this.

Briefly, this is not a real tablet computer. It is a new device more like an appliance... not to tinker much with it but basically to consume content (like a TV or consoles). I don't think this is what many techies like me expected but, as Apple's former sales indicate, it is what many people could buy. It follows the 'auteur model of innovation'... unique, simple design and elitist feel (see this NYT article).

If it reaches market critical mass, it could indeed tilt the balance of home devices towards this new product category. Some of its shortcomings could be solved by third party apps, jailbreaking, or just by the iPhone OS 4.0 on the way, but it's still up in the air. Also, if the device has enough success, newer models may bring the missing pieces, à la iPhone. Whatever happens, we'll all be following it closely. Maybe this will be the seed of our Star Trek-like information pads of years to come!