Pixelrrific

The Apple iPad

I was actually quite surprised at all the criticism about the new iPad.  Overall, I really do think this will be the tablet computer that finally works.  It’s in many ways a scaled up iPod touch after all.  It is however a more powerful device.  This, and the large display, open up quite a few new possibilities.

Obviously, images and video will benefit from the large display.  Those who have seen it in person say the image quality is quite striking.  Most of you probably now know that Apple is entering the ebook business, and this will no doubt be a serious competitor to Kindle and the other readers out there.  Oh sure, epaper is supposedly easier on the eyes, but even if this is true, the trade-off is pretty compelling.

I, like just about everyone it would seem, do have a few nits to pick.  For one, I was really struck about the fact that the iPad omitted a camera.  Not so much a forward facing one to take pictures with, but a rear facing camera for Skype.  This would be a wonderful device for any sort of video chat for that matter.  My guess is that this was a cost issue.  I was pleasantly surprised at the relatively low price-point.  Now some commentators have claimed that Apple used about $270 worth of parts, therefore they still have quite a fat profit.  These folks unfortunately don’t understand the additional costs of putting such a device in your hand.

I was however a bit disappointed at the lack of a SD card slot.  Apple of course has never had such a feature on an iPod, as they felt the included memory was sufficient.  Besides, Steve hates unnecessary holes on his pretty devices!  In this case, it’s quite a different issue.  Not one of adding capacity, but a way to get your content into the device.  The iPad is clearly intended to be something more than a great big iPod.  It was designed to take the place of netbooks for one thing.  While Apple would prefer you only add content via iTunes, or a desktop computer, I still have some issue with this.  What a wonderful feature it would be to pull the card from your camera, then view and manipulate your photos on the iPad.  You can still do this of course, but you will need a SD card adapter.  The irony here is you’d need an ugly protruding dongle to upload your photos from your camera.  This would be a great field tool for professional photographers.  Sure, I doubt it will do RAW, but most finer cameras also can output a JPG version of the same shot for review.  Unfortunately, you’d need that ugly dongle.

That said, I cannot lie.  I can’t wait to have my very own iPad.