5 reasons why the Apple iPad will be a hit
When I heard the announcement about the Apple iPad, I was a bit “meh”. In fact, I immediately discarded the thing as rubbish. Thanks to Steve Jobs touting it as better than the “weak” netbooks. I think it’s the main reason why people hated the iPad, they are expecting it to replace one’s netbook.
Admittedly at first glance, the iPad is overwhelmingly underwhelming. You can’t multi-task, no flash support, no webcam to name a few missing features and those are valid reasons why it wouldn’t sell.
But think of the iPod Touch for a minute and why a lot of people are using it. Enlarge the iPod Touch and you can think of a lot cool things you can do with it with some help from Apps and accessory developers.
1. Read books on a large screen
The iPad may not be a “netbook” killer but it could be an eBook reader killer. With the built-in iBooks or the free Kindle app (or other eBook app), the iPad can easily replace your Kindle and allows you do to more things as well. Read magazines in full, vibrant colors? Yes please.
Of course some people prefer to read on an e-ink display rather than a LED-backlit one. I hope this iPad can switch to an e-ink display on eBook mode to last the battery for days though.
2. Instant-on Internet Device
I love my iPod Touch because I can check my mails quickly in just a few seconds. No need to wait for my netbook’s OS to boot. I don’t use it to compose mails though due to its small screen and this where the iPad will shine. You can also enjoy surfing the web on its 9.7 inch screen in a jiffy.
Some techies will suggest using those quick booting Linux OS on your netbook but that solution is not for most people.
3. Media Center Controller
I’m just saying that with the right Remote Control App, the iPad will be one helluva gadget if you’re entertainment system is connected to a wireless network. In the future, I’m expecting connectivity between the PC, TV, Network Media Player and Stereo System with the iPad as your controller.
4. Universal Remote Control
It’s too bad that the iPad don’t have infrared because it can easily act as a neat universal remote control which could replace your Logitech Harmony. Fortunately, there are IR dongles out there for the iPhone/iPod Touch that can turn it into an IR remote. Now will it work with the iPad? I think so.
5. Digital Portfolio Device
I know some photographers who use the iPhone or iPod Touch as their portable portfolio device. The problem is that the screen is small and viewing angles are limited. With the iPad’s 1024 x 768 resolution on its 9.7-inch glossy display with in-plane switching technology, it would be an effective way to show your photo portfolio to people. 
Photographers who would get the iPad should invest in the iPad Camera Connection Kit which allows you to transfer photos from your camera to the iPad via USB or SD Card.
Conclusion
So to all the “haters” out there, don’t think of it as a replacement to your laptop. I see this thing as something you would leave on your coffee table so you can quickly check and reply to your mail, read online news or surf the web quickly without leaving your couch.
To see how it performs, check out this hands-on video demo of the iPad from Engadget:
The iPad is not for all but to those who will be owning one will be pleasantly surprised once they start using it. I’m not saying that you go buy one when it comes out in March but probably wait for the apps or even the next generation of this iPad.
I’m sure there are tons of improvements in the works already for this one. Just adding multi-task support on the iPad will make it a true winner. Piano app on the iPad anyone?
You might also be interested in:
- 5 reasons why you will love Apple’s iPad
- 5 reasons why I shouldn’t rush into get an iPad 2
- 8 Apps and Games that will fit the Apple iPad
- Opt iPad Messenger Bag works for my iPad 2
Filed under: Gadgets n' Games, iPod Touch and iPad
nice one calv, been reading a lot of hate blogs about this. you are the only one i read which looked at it like a normal user like me. for me, 2 major flaws lang would be the multi-tasking and the keyboard. but this would really cool for artists!!!
may bluetooth keyboard naman na accessory if you want to do a lot of typing. pero yeah, wish it would have multitasking capability. sayang yung 1GHz custom processor nila.
i’m a bit disappointed. if they make it around OSX… well it would be a different story… anyway it’s a good thing. I can’t get over my iMac and MBP envy yet
i guess kaya iPhone OS nilagay nila to target those people wanting a simple internet and media device. alam ko there are people out there especially mga matatanda who can’t easily switch to a Mac environment.
You forgot the biggest reason of them all… it’s got a half-bitten apple at the back.
Anyway, I’m not too impressed with this. I didn’t have high expectations and I was still sorely disappointed. Well, that’s too be expected. The 1st gen of iPod wasn’t exactly the great device everyone dreamed of right? So I say, wait for the 3rd gen iPad at least. Oh, and iPad is such a crappy name.
hahaha true. there are lots of jokes out there about the name iPad in the context of feminine napkins. disappointed with Apple for coming up with the name. The HP Slate sounds cooler.
“something you would leave on your coffee table so you can quickly check and reply to your mail, read online news or surf the web quickly without leaving your couch.”
Bingo. You nailed it on the head. Totally agree.
that’s why you have your iphone. also a very expensive coffee table accessory.
What’s that thing I leave on my coffee table on hibernate so I can quickly check and reply to my mail, read online news, or surf the web quickly without leaving my couch called again?
Oh yeah! A laptop!
and how long does that laptop last on standby before you charge it?
The iPad was truly all hype, but what’s with no flash support?
they probably don’t want to make the iPad sluggish by introducing those flash-based ads and games. What I’m hoping is an app that allows you to play videos from other sites aside from Youtube. It can support FLV anyway.
Calvin.. I agree with the points you said above. Multitasking wise I don’t want to do much in one sitting, listening to tunes while surfing is enough. (which you can do with iPhone 3.2). This is definitely a great hardware for your digital portfolio, as well a backup storage solution while shooting. Sana they could’ve integrated an SD card slot as extra storage but maybe they are concerned about slow W/R speeds with current gen. (or a conspiracy to sell more by making 16, 32 and 64GB versions haha). Some say they are still betting on HTML5 for video. What is HTML5 anyway and what can it offer? I think i need my research hehe Sayang lang talaga yung Flash
You’re right about the lack of SD. They don’t want to include it or wala nang bibili masyado nung 64GB.
HTML5 (for rich media) matagal pa bago mag-adapt yung mga tao and the browsers and I’m sure marami pang iterations paglumabas.
Siguro about the Flash ok lang kahit wala. May FLV support naman yung iPhone eh pero sana may native support din yung browser nila for FLV videos para hindi ka lang stuck sa Youtube.
regarding SD, after all meron naman Camera connectors i guess ok na rin yun.. 64GB and the attachment puwede na pang photographers, tapos app for instant slideshow with text. Keynote perhaps?
oo nga regarding youtube.. sayang din eh no? kasi yung current youtube app ata bawal din mag comment or share fb twitter, not sure kasi wala naman akong iphone haha.
by the way, ngayon ko lang naappreciate yung instant on internet device, kasi nga naman kung HP slate, hintayin pa mag boot yung win7 para lang makainternet, kung they can integrate chrome OS or something. how about Joojoo? maging hit din kaya yun?
well if you have a netbook, try booting Jolicloud from it. Instant on sya pero all you can do is surf using Chrome browser. Pwede mong ilagay yung JoliCloud sa USB and boot it from the USB.
di talaga ako fan ng tablet PC eh. dati i thought they would be cool but upon using one, hindi rin pala. not for typing or editing photos talaga. pag magtablet ako, to surf and read lang.
Kasi at first, I was really set on buying a CULV Laptop (Asus UL30A or VT) tapos lumabas yung tablet form factor, napapaisip tuloy ako kung anu ba talaga ang kailangan ko.. I mean I want to buy something that’s just right for my needs.
have you tried using one? hassle bang gamitin?
CULV Laptops are nice but the thing is mahal talaga mga tablet PC’s compared sa laptops and hindi pa sya masyadong mainstream. Often times you would be missing the keyboard if you’re going to compose long e-mails.
it’s really up to your needs kung ano mag-fit sa iyo. if the laptop is your secondary PC. the tablet is going to be your tertiary.
i haven’t used a tablet PC yet. siguro semi-tablet lang and ok naman sya if you won’t be using the keyboard a lot.
well, i’m cheering for it since it’s an ebook reader… but I will be on the wait and see mode, for feedbacks from users.
I love your review Calvin, good job!
At first, I didn’t like the iPad (that’s a lousy name by the way, first I heard it I thought it was a joke/parody). It was a blown up iTouch. Then I read a lot of reviews both for and against it.
I have my reasons to buy (not the first gen, I’ll wait for updated versions): i don’t own an iPhone (i have a touch phone but that doesn’t count) or an iTouch, I don’t have a netbook or an ebook reader. And I would love it as a mobile photo storage device (eventhough the disk space isn’t really that big).
I think 32GB or 16GB is sufficient for photos you want to showcase. with it’s 1024×768 resolution you won’t be storing those big RAW photos. They’re better off in your backup storage disk.