The Next Thing That Comes First

[chipotle]

Against my better judgement, I’m going to write about the iPad. It’s been long enough that everyone’s already formed an opinion, I suspect; I’m going to start off by throwing a bit of cold water on some of the opinions I’ve been seeing.

Comments

[shaterri]

I think your point about infrastructure is an interesting one, because I see that as one of the current major issues with the iPad - $130 plus a monthly fee is a lot to pay for ubiquity; not unheard-of, and in line with what you have to pay in other avenues, but those avenues aren't this one. I suspect Apple is gambling that you'll either have Wi-Fi anywhere you want to use the device or that you'll not miss it if you don't, but that seems like a pretty big roll of the dice given that the major issues with ubiquitous Wi-Fi are less technical than social, and they appear to be making negative progress if anything.

[chipotle]

While I think the base iPad price is pretty cmpetitive, it's my feeling they should have worked at making the extra fee for the 3G/A-GPS hardware something more like $70. Unfortunately, I doubt they could do much about the charge for the 3G data plan: while people point to the Kindle and nook and their free cellular service, it's probably reasonable to assume that iPad users are going to use, well, a lot more free cellular service than ebook readers do. Eventually, I suspect phone companies will start offering "consolidated" plans that work for multiple devices, sort of the equivalent of family calling plans but for the nerd who has both the smart phone, the iPad, and possibly a laptop with a 3G card. I know for my part, the idea of slapping on another $30 a month is unappealing enough that I probably won't do it. Probably

[krinndnz]

I loved the idea that access to wi-fi shouldn't something on the menu, it should be a condiment. It was an amusing metaphor that still had a good chunk of explanatory/narrative power.

[barberio]

All I have to say about why they're putting out a WiFi only iPad is because of MiFi.

[chipotle]

I will confess I've thought about one of those, although I'm as yet holding out hope for tethering on the iPhone in the US. I just don't want to pay for data service twice!