I’ve been thinking about what the iPad is in comparison to other devices we’ve had so far, what niche it serves and how it accomplishes this.
I think the main purpose of the iPad is CONSUMPTION of information, not collaboration or creation (like web 2.0). That’s why there was no built-in camera – it was just for viewing photos, not taking them. Same thing for the video – no video camera on the iPad, just the capacity to watch videos. It’s made for you to read, e.g. e-books and web sites, not write. I think in the earlier versions there is a limited word processor (Note) but nothing fancy. There is a need for input, hence the on-screen keyboard. After all you will to have some capacity for data entry in order to specify your content.
This thing doesn’t boot up. It turns on. In seconds.
The weight was one of the earliest complaints about it (to be fair it was being compared to the next closest thing, devices that were not designed to do the same things). I’ve read someone’s blog posting describing how they would not likely use it while reading in the subway because it was too heavy to hold while standing. I think they were already using a Sony eReader (which weighs about 300 grams) so this experience has obviously affected their perception. The iPad (sans 3G) comes is more than double at 690 grams.
It is definitely designed to perform in a certain way that is brand new to the user. We can see this quite clearly when it was first released and the blogosphere was crammed with comparisons to what already existed (e.g. eReaders, tablets, netbooks). What worries me is that more and more apps will be written so that it supports the functionality of laptop or netbook. Already there is a suite of business apps and an external keyboard. The apps store reveals more and more products that move beyond consumption. I think it is going to turn into a, “ya, this is great but it would be way better if it did X”. If this happens people will have missed the point. Consume not collaborate. Sometimes it’s a good idea to just “take a break” and be entertained.
Please see my colleague Cameron Norman’s take on the iPad.
