OK, so this was Apple's week big time. They first announced their best quarter results ever and two days later they launched the new computing/lifestyle device/gadget - the
Apple iPad. What it is is just a bigger
iPod Touch and folks have been asking questions if this device really makes sense...
So here's a roundup of my favorite Apple iPad articles (and at the bottom of everything I'll add my 2 cents):
"It’s about the software, stupid. While all sorts of commentators were focusing on how much Apple’s new $499 iPad tablet computer looks like an oversized iPhone, the key to whether it can be the first multi-function tablet to win wide public acceptance probably lies in whether consumers perceive it as a suitable replacement for a laptop in key scenarios."
So Walt was pretty objective, but most of geeks and gadget reviewers/bloggers didn't like the device:
While all the final info is not out yet, there were a few major omissions from the iPad hardware. Here's the highly desireable stuff that came out missing: No Camera, No verizon, No notifications, No TV content, No multitasking...
The iPad, much like the iPhone, is completely locked down. The user has no control over what she installs on the hardware, short of accepting exactly what Apple has approved for it...
A lot of people at Gizmodo are psyched about the iPad. Not me! My god, am I underwhelmed by it. It has some absolutely backbreaking failures that will make buying one the last thing I would want to do...
But not all reviews were so bad, some liked it:
Most people won’t yet, but as long as Apple has its base that will buy and use the iPad, they have plenty of time for either themselves or third-party developers to create the killer uses that make the iPad a must-have product for a broader range of people ... there will be no shortage of people willing to splurge on the device just to see what all the fuss is about. They’ll get hooked too.
And I'd like to finalize this post with quote from my favorite NY Tiimes journalist:
"My main message to fanboys is this: it’s too early to draw any conclusions. Apple hasn’t given the thing to any reviewers yet, there are no iPad-only apps yet (there will be), the e-bookstore hasn’t gone online yet, and so on. So hyperventilating is not yet the appropriate reaction.
At the same time, the bashers should be careful, too. As we enter Phase 2, remember how silly you all looked when you all predicted the iPhone’s demise in that period before it went on sale."
What do you think about the iPad? Love it? Hate it? Will you buy it (i.e. vote with your wallet)?
Paul, Christine, thanks for comments and let's discover what that iPad thingy is really about!