ipad = typical overrated Mac device
ipad = large ipod touch
ipad = cool if you want to carry around another device, pay another monthly service fee, and have unlimited funds; only to be tied to more proprietary apple software

Honestly, I’m a fan of the uber device. iPhones and droid interest me more than this whole e-reader business. I can do almost everything on one easy to carry device like an iPhone or droid. And, if I’m going to sit down and read or surf the net, why not use a laptop or a regular old book.

iPad = iBad?

Obviously there are tons of good articles out there about the iPad. Initially, yes, I was probably underwhelmed and focusing on what the iPad DOESN’T do. Now, that’s not to say I don’t stand by those comments, because I wholeheartedly think my initial assessment is correct. Moving on…

Point #1 : iPad = typical overrated Mac device

I’m not a Microsoft fan boy or an Apple/Mac basher, but let’s be honest…the publicity around every Apple/Mac device is unbelievable. The most underrated people at Apple are their marketing staff and maybe their product/user interface designers. The Apple marketing staff do an unbelievable job of promoting items, that do perform well, but are outrageously overpriced.

For example, can you really tell me that a Mac computer is worth all that extra dough? Okay, so maybe you like OS X instead of Windows and how “pretty” your computer looks on your desk at work (no more hiding that tower under your desk…). Here’s my beef and the ironic bit of all this…put OS X on a PC (which they are basically doing on the intel-based macs or your very own “hackintosh”) and I guarantee it runs just as good; if not better. The difference? I didn’t pay a fortune to accomplish such a feat. Now, the only thing I’m lacking is a great looking case. Of course, that isn’t so hard to remedy either if you really strive for that sort of thing.

Bottom line, Apple is going to win the visual appeal award every time out. I have yet to see a company design nicer looking equipment and user interfaces and for that they deserve all the credit in the world. And to speak more to that point, I think the simple visual appeal of their devices is probably the primary reason people pick Apple equipment over other vendors. Seriously, their equipment is out of this world cool looking when put next to the competition. Their stuff just looks nicer, cooler, trendier, etc and people whether they admit it or not; really want a device that “looks” cool. Case and point…if the ipod looked like a Zune would it have sold like wildfire? I doubt it.

Point #2 : iPad = large ipod touch

I guess I was curious as to why people were so excited about the iPad and it’s size. Sure, it’s going to be a great e-reader device cause it’s bigger than an iPhone or iPod. However, it appears as if most of the functionality will be consistent to that of the iPhone and iPod predecessors; just wrapped into a larger device that targets a different audience group. Unless, I’m missing something, nothing earth shattering to see here; let’s move on.

Point #3 : iPad = cool if you want to carry around another device, pay another monthly service fee, and have unlimited funds; only to be tied to more proprietary apple software

Please don’t take this as a slight to the iPad. But, once again, I ask the question…is it worth the money? 16GB and wi-fi for $499? Geesh…I could buy a fully functional, small form factor laptop for that price (Dell Mini, etc, etc). Of course, it wouldn’t be a touch interface, but c’mon I could do so much more with it. But, back to my previous point…a Dell mini running Windows is nowhere near as “cool” as a touch screen iPad.

16GB? Seriously, I can buy a 16GB usb flash drive for under $40. I’d think you’d cram more storage space on there for that kind of cash. Apple also wants an additional $200 to go from 16GB to 64GB? Highway robbery in my opinion. Sure, you might not need lots of storage on an e-reader, but what about audio? Video? Photos? I couldn’t even fit just my music collection on the mid-range model as it stands now. How am I going to do anything else on the device? What about the “hog” called video? Not to mention photos? Will I need to carry discs around or constantly stream content due to insufficient HD space? If so, can you really claim it to be this multifunctional device? I don’t think so. You want 3G with that too? That’s going to cost you extra too, to the tune of approx $1,189 for year one.

I won’t go into the whole proprietary Apple software bit, but I do think that is another consideration. This issue probably only pertains to more tech savvy folks like myself who do not use iTunes for music or any of the iWork software, etc. The typical average Joe user will probably care less about this because they do use iTunes for music, etc. Oh, and do you really want another electronic device to lug around and care for all day long? I sure don’t.

Not so bad?

Okay, now that I’ve put all the bad (if that’s what you want to call it) out there…now for some good then a final wrap-up.

I’ve heard lots of gripes about the lack of Flash. HELLO, has anyone heard of HTML5? CSS3? I think Flash is about to hit upon some hard times. The new HTML5 & CSS3 specs are going to greatly increase audio/video delivery and presentation on the web. Flash will be directly impacted by this revelation. Also, Flash isn’t exactly accessible for those with visual impairments, etc. In fact, creating accessible Flash content can be quite cumbersome and Adobe’s attempt to tack-on accessibility controls isn’t ideal. I’m perfectly happy with the decision to NOT include Flash support.

I also like that Apple incorporated the ability to use existing apps available from the app store. This will be a great way to allow that content to continue to generate revenue/usage. I do have one question though, will you have to purchase an app twice to run it on multiple devices? I’m guessing yes, and that begs the question of how many apps will be worth operating on multiple devices? Of course, there will be custom apps for the iPad but won’t they mostly be extensions of existing apps that just take advantage of extra screen real estate?

I’ve also heard complaints about the lack of a camera. I laugh out loud when I think about this one….are you REALLY going to hold a device this large up to take pictures? I mean c’mon it’s nearly the size of a sheet of paper (9.5″ H x 7.5″ W)! Hell, I think I’d rather whip out an old school polaroid than hold something this large up to take a photo. Plus, most people already have 2 cameras on them at all times. I think every phone these days has a camera (albeit not great, but still a camera) and every female I know carries a digital camera in their purse. I even know some guys who carry a small digital camera around. So why have a third ginormous one?

The multitask gripe could be a valid one, but I think Apple will work out the kinks and avoid this as an issue.

Summary

Overall, I don’t hate the iPad. But, I definitely don’t think it’s the next great revolutionary device. I fall in the middle of the road. I do think it will be a great niche market product, a solid performer, and it will more than likely generate solid revenue for Apple; thus a business success. Just don’t expect me to adorn it with the honors of greatest or coolest device ever. I’d probably label this product as an e-reader+…it’s like an e-reader on steroids, but still kind of a “tweener” device; not an iPod not a laptop. That said, I do think the iPad will almost instantly become the #1 e-reader (a growing market), and in my opinion, force Amazon to reduce kindle prices and play itself as the “bargain” unit. Really, that’s a pretty good start if you’re Apple.

Personally, I would love a device like this to replace a portable DVD player for family road trips and the like. However, there is ABSOLUTELY no way I would pay that much money for what I see as a niche device. Sure, a touch interface would be cool, portability would be nice, but some of the cons I’ve pointed out (insufficient memory, proprietary software, price, etc); would easily offset those advantages. I really don’t want another device to carry around either. I’m all about uber devices like droid and iPhone. Plus, I do have a laptop that affords me most, if not all, of the features of an iPad; it just isn’t as cool as an iPad.